Endometriosis may be an Autoimmune Disease

[Guest guest]

Thought this article was interesting... Two of my daughters, myself,my sister

and my mother all have or had endometriosis. Now they are saying it may be

autoimmune disease.

Endometriosis May Be an Autoimmune Disease

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WESTPORT, CT (Reuters Health) Sept 06 - Immunomodulating therapy may be an

alternative to traditional estrogens as a treatment for endometriosis.

Dr. Warren B. Nothnick, of the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas

City, says that in a review of the literature he found " overwhelming

evidence " of a role for immunologic factors, particularly cytokines, in the

pathophysiology and etiology of endometriosis.

In particular, he says, research results show that levels of tumor necrosis

factor alpha (TNF-alpha) are elevated in patients with endometriosis. Given

the success of TNF-alpha inhibitors in treating other immunologic disorders,

Dr. Nothnick proposes examining these therapies as an option for treating

endometriosis.

Disturbed levels of other cytokines, cell apoptosis, and T- and B-cell

abnormalities have also been observed in patients with endometriosis, he

notes in the August issue of Fertility and Sterility.

" What we as researchers and physicians need to be aware of is that many

factors and pathways can contribute to the growth and progression of

endometriosis and the cytokines may be one commonality among these factors or

pathways, " Dr. Nothnick told Reuters Health.

While for now there is only a small amount of evidence to support an

immunologic approach to treating endometriosis, he believes " we need to

explore all possibilities and take advantage of today's technologies. "

" A treatment that could suppress the disease and its symptoms independently

of compromising a women's reproductive cyclicity would hold great promise, "

he noted.

Fertil Steril 2001;76:223-231.

[Guest guest]

Thought this article was interesting... Two of my daughters, myself,my sister

and my mother all have or had endometriosis. Now they are saying it may be

autoimmune disease.

Endometriosis May Be an Autoimmune Disease

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--

WESTPORT, CT (Reuters Health) Sept 06 - Immunomodulating therapy may be an

alternative to traditional estrogens as a treatment for endometriosis.

Dr. Warren B. Nothnick, of the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas

City, says that in a review of the literature he found " overwhelming

evidence " of a role for immunologic factors, particularly cytokines, in the

pathophysiology and etiology of endometriosis.

In particular, he says, research results show that levels of tumor necrosis

factor alpha (TNF-alpha) are elevated in patients with endometriosis. Given

the success of TNF-alpha inhibitors in treating other immunologic disorders,

Dr. Nothnick proposes examining these therapies as an option for treating

endometriosis.

Disturbed levels of other cytokines, cell apoptosis, and T- and B-cell

abnormalities have also been observed in patients with endometriosis, he

notes in the August issue of Fertility and Sterility.

" What we as researchers and physicians need to be aware of is that many

factors and pathways can contribute to the growth and progression of

endometriosis and the cytokines may be one commonality among these factors or

pathways, " Dr. Nothnick told Reuters Health.

While for now there is only a small amount of evidence to support an

immunologic approach to treating endometriosis, he believes " we need to

explore all possibilities and take advantage of today's technologies. "

" A treatment that could suppress the disease and its symptoms independently

of compromising a women's reproductive cyclicity would hold great promise, "

he noted.

Fertil Steril 2001;76:223-231.

[Guest guest]

,

Interesting article, I had Endometriosis & had surgery for it 20 years ago.

Sandy

Thought this article was interesting... Two of my daughters, myself,my sister and my mother all have or had endometriosis. Now they are saying it may be autoimmune disease. Endometriosis May Be an Autoimmune Disease --------------------------------------------------------------------------------WESTPORT, CT (Reuters Health) Sept 06 - Immunomodulating therapy may be an alternative to traditional estrogens as a treatment for endometriosis. Dr. Warren B. Nothnick, of the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, says that in a review of the literature he found "overwhelming evidence" of a role for immunologic factors, particularly cytokines, in the pathophysiology and etiology of endometriosis. In particular, he says, research results show that levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) are elevated in patients with endometriosis. Given the success of TNF-alpha inhibitors in treating other immunologic disorders, Dr. Nothnick proposes examining these therapies as an option for treating endometriosis. Disturbed levels of other cytokines, cell apoptosis, and T- and B-cell abnormalities have also been observed in patients with endometriosis, he notes in the August issue of Fertility and Sterility. "What we as researchers and physicians need to be aware of is that many factors and pathways can contribute to the growth and progression of endometriosis and the cytokines may be one commonality among these factors or pathways," Dr. Nothnick told Reuters Health. While for now there is only a small amount of evidence to support an immunologic approach to treating endometriosis, he believes "we need to explore all possibilities and take advantage of today's technologies." "A treatment that could suppress the disease and its symptoms independently of compromising a women's reproductive cyclicity would hold great promise," he noted. Fertil Steril 2001;76:223-231. DISCLAIMER!!WE ARE NOT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, THEREFORE ANY INFORMATION THAT IS RECEIVED HERE IS FROM EXPERIENCE ONLY. PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TRYING ANYTHING THAT IS SUGGESTED. WE ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR PHYSICIAN AND ARE NOT TRYING TO BE. REMEMBER EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT AND TREATMENT MAYBE DIFFERENT FOR MANY OF US. THANK YOU

[Guest guest]

,

Interesting article, I had Endometriosis & had surgery for it 20 years ago.

Sandy

Thought this article was interesting... Two of my daughters, myself,my sister and my mother all have or had endometriosis. Now they are saying it may be autoimmune disease. Endometriosis May Be an Autoimmune Disease --------------------------------------------------------------------------------WESTPORT, CT (Reuters Health) Sept 06 - Immunomodulating therapy may be an alternative to traditional estrogens as a treatment for endometriosis. Dr. Warren B. Nothnick, of the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, says that in a review of the literature he found "overwhelming evidence" of a role for immunologic factors, particularly cytokines, in the pathophysiology and etiology of endometriosis. In particular, he says, research results show that levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) are elevated in patients with endometriosis. Given the success of TNF-alpha inhibitors in treating other immunologic disorders, Dr. Nothnick proposes examining these therapies as an option for treating endometriosis. Disturbed levels of other cytokines, cell apoptosis, and T- and B-cell abnormalities have also been observed in patients with endometriosis, he notes in the August issue of Fertility and Sterility. "What we as researchers and physicians need to be aware of is that many factors and pathways can contribute to the growth and progression of endometriosis and the cytokines may be one commonality among these factors or pathways," Dr. Nothnick told Reuters Health. While for now there is only a small amount of evidence to support an immunologic approach to treating endometriosis, he believes "we need to explore all possibilities and take advantage of today's technologies." "A treatment that could suppress the disease and its symptoms independently of compromising a women's reproductive cyclicity would hold great promise," he noted. Fertil Steril 2001;76:223-231. DISCLAIMER!!WE ARE NOT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, THEREFORE ANY INFORMATION THAT IS RECEIVED HERE IS FROM EXPERIENCE ONLY. PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TRYING ANYTHING THAT IS SUGGESTED. WE ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR PHYSICIAN AND ARE NOT TRYING TO BE. REMEMBER EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT AND TREATMENT MAYBE DIFFERENT FOR MANY OF US. THANK YOU

[Guest guest]

Endometriosis May Be an Autoimmune Disease

My daughter also has this... so did my MOM

[Guest guest]

Endometriosis May Be an Autoimmune Disease

My daughter also has this... so did my MOM